Crossroads charter schools reports and articles

Crossroads Charter Schools

DYNAMIC EDUCATION IN THE HEART OF KANSAS CITY

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CROSSROADS PARENT

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At Crossroads, our children are both challenged and nurtured in equal measure. They feel free to test the limits of their abilities, and soar beyond them, because they know they have amazing adults standing behind them, cheering them on.

I’m so glad you want to learn more about Crossroads Charter Schools! Our vision is simple: offer students A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION IN THE HEART OF KANSAS CITY. Every day our exceptional teachers work together to make this dream a reality for our students. It’s our goal that Crossroads Charter graduates are well-rounded, love learning, develop their full potential, are exposed to the many cultural resources of our dynamic city, and dream big for the future.

We hope you’ll visit soon, and witness the engaging learning environment we’re lucky to call home.

TYSIE MCDOWELL-RAY Chief Academic Officer

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CROSSROADS CHARTER SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE Crossroads Charter Schools prepare and inspire students to build a better tomorrow by providing an academically rigorous K-12 education in a creative, collaborative, communityfocused environment.

TUITION-FREE

K-9TH GRADE

and open to all families living within KCPS boundaries

THREE LOCATIONS 682 STUDENTS

Crossroads Academy Central Street 1015 Central St.

ALL STUDENTS RECEIVE: English Language Arts Math Science

Crossroads Academy Quality Hill 1080 Washington St.

AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS:

Crossroads High School coming to downtown fall 2018

- Bus Service - Before & After Care - School Lunch

Visual Arts Performing Arts Physical Education

THE CROSSROADS CHARTER SCHOOLS STUDENT EDUCATIONAL EQUITY Crossroads strives to create an environment where all students flourish. Our welcoming school culture is sought out by families from across our community, regardless of background, and we are committed to every students’ success. We are a school that reflects our city, and the broader community, preparing students for a global marketplace.

6%

1%

AMERICAN INDIAN

MULTI RACIAL

18%

HISPANIC

2%

ASIAN

34%

CAUCASIAN

39%

AFRICAN AMERICAN

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59%

of students participate in the federal free/reduced lunch program

8%

of students participate in Special Education programs

8%

of students participate in English Language Learning programs (All data is for the 2016-2017 school year)

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THE CROSSROADS CURRICULUM

HIGH EXPECTATIONS At Crossroads Charter Schools, we work diligently to ensure that every student spends the school day with an outstanding teacher, studying a rigorous curriculum in a creative and focused environment. Highly-qualified, urban-experienced teachers establish the expectations and environment necessary for truly exceptional learning. High-expectations and accountability for everyone — students, teachers and administrators — creates a school environment in which every student can excel. Students are achieving significant academic success in Crossroads’ innovative environment.

TOP TEN DISTRICTS/CHARTERS IN THE KCMO AREA based on the 2016 Annual Performance Report 100%

100%

100%

99.6% 98.9%

98.6%

98.2%

98%

97.9%

97.9%

97.9%

KEARNEY

LEE’S SUMMIT

PARK HILL

97.5%

96%

94% 4%

92%

90% KAUFFMAN SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY ACADEMY

BLUE SPRINGS

RAYMOREPECULIAR

CROSSROADS ACADEMY

LIBERTY

ACADÉMIE LAFAYETTE

Percentage of Annual Performance Report points earned

CREATIVE CULTURE Every member of the Crossroads community is a learner and creator. Our students are challenged to be innovative as they solve problems and overcome challenges. Our teachers creatively engage their students, recognizing how each student individually learns and adjusting their teaching accordingly. And our organization uses cuttingedge research, forging and proving best practices, to give our students an excellent education.

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“ In every classroom I entered at Crossroads Academy the students were on task and being led by a highly engaged teacher. I’ve visited a lot of schools in my career, and it is rare to find a learning environment where the children were so engaged in learning.

“

DR. JIM CACCAMO, Director Of Early Learning And Head Start, Marc (RETIRED)

AUTHENTIC LEARNING Crossroads Charter Schools graduates will be entering college and beginning careers in an increasingly diverse, complex and media-enhanced society. To achieve their fullpotential and succeed in the 21st Century, students will need a robust skillset. To prepare our students for success, we utilize two distinct teaching models.

All classrooms are rooted in PROJECT-BASED learning, which allows students to explore real-world issues and problems through hands-on learning experiences. This method truly brings learning to life, and helps create a love of learning in all students.

Additionally, students at Crossroads Charter Schools benefit from technology; each student has access to an iPad or Chromebook. Teachers use this technology to create a BLENDED LEARNING environment where students rotate through small group instruction with the teacher, collaborative learning groups with peers, and independent studies on a Chromebook/iPad. This allows teachers to target instruction to each student individually, ensuring that all students continue to grow at their own pace.

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“ KC STAR

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“The address is 1015 Central St. But in a way, the entire downtown serves as their classroom as the children study at the nearby Central Library, meet the mayor at City Hall, enjoy recess at Barney Allis Plaza and sit star-struck at Folly Theater productions.”

CROSSROADS CHARACTER We all know character is important. But research shows that it might have as much impact on long-term success as academic ability. We believe these carefully selected “scholar skills” will enable our students to achieve their dreams. And to make that a reality, our dedicated teachers mentor students daily as they learn to internalize and practice these key emotional skills.

CROSSROADS CHARTER SCHOOLS’ SCHOLAR SKILLS GRIT: effort, hard work, showing one’s personal best even when the task is hard.

SELF-CONTROL: being in charge of one’s actions, words and emotions; showing respect for others and property.

ZEAL: positive attitude, passion for learning, willingness to try.

PREPAREDNESS: being ready to learn and achieve.

KINDNESS: being friendly, generous and considerate.

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OUR CITY OUR CLASSROOM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Crossroads Charter Schools uses its dynamic downtown neighborhood as an extension of the classroom. Through frequent learning expeditions, and daily walks to destinations around downtown, students are exposed to a wide array of cultural, civic and business environments.

The following are a few ways our students extend their classrooms into the community.

•

Students studied government and visited the JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND CITY HALL, where they met Mayor Sly James.

•

3rd grade students visited various KC neighborhoods and interviewed neighborhood change-makers. They were later interviewed by KCUR (public radio) about their project.

•

Students studied downtown architecture with members of the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS and created a downtown tour featuring historic architectural landmarks.

•

Fourth grade students explore dance and creative movement at the KANSAS CITY BALLET through the Reach Out and Dance program.

• Students performed on stage at the QUALITY HILL PLAYHOUSE and THE FOLLY THEATER. • Students attended performances at the KAUFFMAN CENTER for the Performing Arts and Folly Theater

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE Crossroads Charter Schools will open CROSSROADS HIGH SCHOOL in 2018, serving Crossroads Academy – Central Street and Crossroads Academy – Quality Hill students, and the surrounding community. The school will grow to serve 500 students in 9th12th grade by 2025.

The Crossroads High School founding class of 9th graders will begin in the fall of 2017 at our Quality Hill location. They will move to the permanent high school campus when it opens in fall 2018 with grades 9-10.

Located downtown, within walking distance to the streetcar line, students will benefit from the civic, business, STEM and cultural resources of our vibrant downtown community.

In addition, key collaborations with Park University and Prep KC will allow students to earn early college credit. Crossroads High School will provide a holistic education, including visual and performing arts, a makerspace and a variety of clubs and competitive sports.

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ENROLLMENT Crossroads Charter Schools are open to all families living within KCPS boundaries.

Among these families, priority is given in the following order through March 1:

I-70

CENTRAL STREET 12TH ST

QUALITY HILL TROOST AVE

MAIN ST

I-35

PROSPECT AVE

I-70

MISSOURI

KANSAS

I-670

•

Siblings of currently enrolled students, and children of staff.

•

Families that live or work within the Crossroads Charter Schools priority zone: State Line to Prospect, Missouri River to 39th Street.

39TH ST

US-71

31ST ST

Each year, applications for enrollment are available in late fall, and must be received by MARCH 1ST in order to be considered for the enrollment lottery. If Crossroads Charter Schools receive more applicants than there are available seats, a lottery will be conducted. Students not selected during the lottery, or who apply after March 1st, will be placed on a waiting list.

TO RECEIVE AN APPLICATION, VISIT CROSSROADSSCHOOLSKC.ORG OR CALL (816) 221-2600.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: Crossroads Charter Schools do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination or harassment, or if you have inquiries regarding the school’s non-discrimination policies, please call 816.221.2600.

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Crossroads

Crossroads Charter Schools is a network of three schools that offer a dynamic K-12 education in the heart of downtown Kansas City.

Crossroads Charter Schools offer a unique model that emphasizes community engagement and 21st-century learning. We bring our students outside into the downtown community whenever possible to experience learning in the real world. As active community members our students go to daily recess at Barney Allis Plaza and visit the Central Library every week. We hold student performances at downtown theaters, and we frequent downtown galleries, parks, and businesses. Project-based learning units bring students into real-world experiences to solve real problems. Whenever possible, we welcome professionals of our downtown community into our school as guest speakers or volunteers to share their expertise with students.

Together, Crossroads Charter Schools, BNIM, and MC Realty have developed a longstanding partnership that has contributed to Crossroads Charter Schools’ tremendous growth.

The network began in 2012 with just one school, Crossroads Academy, which offered a unique learning model utilizing downtown Kansas City as an extended campus for learning.

In its five years of serving children, the school has grown academically and nearly tripled in size. In 2016 a second school was added. Crossroads Academy – Quality Hill opened to 186 kindergarten through third graders and will eventually grow to 422 students.

Crossroads High School will begin in the fall of 2017. Classes will be held at the Park University Downtown Campus temporarily while the permanent campus is under construction. This stateof-the-art facility is located within Commerce Tower at 911 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri. A permanent campus location has not yet been announced but is anticipated to open in 2019.

Crossroads High School will grow to enroll 500 students at capacity. In the year 2025, all schools will be at capacity and collectively serve 1,344 students in grades K-12.

CROSSROADS ACADEMY

The fruitful relationship between the three firms continues to reshape Kansas City’s urban core. Their most recent collaboration is the award-winning 10th and Wyandotte parking structure, which also brought in the unique perspective of a local ceramics artist. MC Realty developed the garage, with BNIM as the design architect. Because of the garage’s adjacency to Crossroads Academy, BNIM engaged Crossroads students to design the green space, which will be utilized as both a playground for the school and a public amenity.

In addition to Turner Construction’s proven track record on positive utilization of MBE/WBE firms, Crossroads Charter Schools has incorporated a goal to achieve, at minimum, 15% MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) and 7% WBE (Women Business Enterprise) participation on construction projects.

Crossroads is also committed to paying prevailing wage rates per the current Missouri Department of Labor wage order.

4 | The Attucks School City of Kansas City, Missouri

CROSSROADS ACADEMY – QUALITY HILL

CROSSROADS ACADEMY – QUALITY HILL

CROSSROADS ACADEMY building positive | Crossroads High School

Crossroads Academy - Quality Hill

16 | The Attucks School City of Kansas City, Missouri